Exercising apparatus



2 Sheets-Sheet l 77/500024 v1. Hymn-e Nov. 13, 1934. T. A. HUNTER EXERCISING APPARATUS Filed March 9, 1933 No 13, 1934. T. A. HUNTER EXERCISING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 9, 193:5

771500025 A [fa/v 75/2 Patented Nov. 13, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFF

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to exercising. apparatus. More particularly, the invention relates to novel exercising apparatus of simple, compact construction, useful in exercising the principal muscles of the body in coordination or separately. The exerciser of this invention is portable and when not in use occupies little space.

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention resides in the provision of exercising D apparatus enabling a user to execute a variety of beneficial exercising movements.

A further object is to provide a portable exerciser enabling a user to perform successive movements simulating the rowing of a boat, the

effort exerted being resisted by the exerciser.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a simple device for exercising the muscles of the waist, arms and back of a user.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an exercising apparatus which may be used in a confined space such as a bed or sleeping car berth without the necessity for attaching the apparatus to any fixed point.

Another and more specific object of the present .23 invention is to provide an exercising device comprising vstirrups engageable with the soles or arches of the feet of a user combined with an extensible member adapted to be held by either or both hands of a user. I

Still another object of the invention is to provide a combined device for facilitating exercising in a variety of ways that includes stirrups which may be attached to the fioor, under a door or article of furniture for engaging the ankles of an exercising person and that is provided with an elastic extensible member attached to the stirrups at one end and having a handle at its free end.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a guard for an extensible spring connected to a handle to prevent pinching the flesh of the hands between the convolutions of the spring.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for facilitating the exercising of a person in a variety of ways, which consists of few parts, is light in weight, small in bulk, so that it may be stored or carried conveniently, and that at the same time is of such extreme simplicity that it may be manufactured and sold at a low cost.

Still further objects of the invention will appear as a description thereof proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 55 Figure 1 is a view showing one manner in which the device of the present invention is used, the movements of the person indicated by the full and dotted lines simulating the movements performed in rowing a boat.

Figure 2 is a view on an enlarged scale of the device as seen from the left hand end of Figure I.

Figure 3 is a side elevational View.

Figure 4 is a view showing the device in use as exerciser for the back, legs and arms of the standing person.

Figure 5 is a view in perspective of a slightly modified form of the device shown in Figures 1 to 4. t

Figure 6 is a view showing the device of Figuresl to 5 in use for facilitating the exercising [of the abdominal muscles of the person, the attaching means of the device being retained under an article of furniture withthe stirrups in position to engage the ankles. I

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 3 of a further modification of the device shown in Figures 1 to 4.

Figure 8 is a viewtaken on line VIII-V1II of Figure '7 and looking in the direction of the arrows. V v

Like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

The embodiment of the exercising device here shown comprises a stirrup member 11 for engaging beneath the feet or over the ankles of a person using the exercising device. The stirrup member is preferably constructed of a suitable metal in the form of arod or bar which is bent between its ends to provide oppositely extending hooks or stirrups14 and 16 respectively.

The stirrups 14 and 16 are preferably provided with a .covering of yielding material 17 to prevent chafing the ankles of a person using the device while performing exercises with the ankles engaged under the stirrups. The covering 1'7 for the stirrups is preferably of rubber tubing applied in themanner disclosed in my copending application Serial Number 612,811, filed May 21, 1932.

For the purpose of securing the device in place when desired, a bracket or plate 18 is connected with the straight portion 19 of the stirrup member. The securing bracket or plate 18 is divided at one end to provide spaced connecting portions 20 and .21. These portions of the plate are bent around the straight portion 19 'of the stirrup member so as to loosely encircle it. The hinge connection so provided allows the member 11 to be turned freely with respect to the plate 18,. The flat portion of the bracket is provided with holes 24 so that it may be secured in a selected place by screws or other suitable means.

To provide for ready attachment and removal of the device, holes 24 may be enlarged with their edges intersecting .a slot smaller in width than the diameter .of the holes. To attach the bracket, it is passed over the heads of the screws and moved parallel to the surface on which it is to be attached to aposition with the screws seated in the slots. The bracket is removed by moving it in a reverse direction so that the heads of the screws are again over the large holes.

When the device is to be used as an abdominal exerciser by a person while performing exercises with the ankles engaged under the stirrups, the bracket is held to the floor or any other convenient flat surface. This may be done by securing the bracket to the floor by screws or other fas-.

tening elements engaged in the holes 24. The bracket may be held to the floor by placing its flat portion under the leg of a bed, dresser or other article of furniture, as illustrated by Figure 6. An open door provides a'convenient means for holding stirrup member 11 in position for engagement with the ankles of an exercising person. Plate 18, because ofits compact connection to the straight portion of the stirrup member slips readily under the edge of the door. Hooks 14 and 16 are raised to stand in an upright position on each side of the door ready to receive the ankles of a person lying face up on the floor with one foot on each side ofthe door.

For the purpose of assisting in the development of the principal muscles of the human body, a helical spring 26 provided with a detachable handle 28 is combinedwith the stirrup member 11. While I have chosen to illustrate and describe a helical spring, it is to be understood that an elastic band or cord of any suitable material, such as rubber or a band or cord of elastic textile material may be used. The spring is connected to the stirrup member by 'a loop 29 formed at its end to encircle the straight portion 19 of the stirrup member. The loop 29 is accommodated in space or slot 31 between the ends 20 and 21 of the bracket which encircle the straight portion of the stirrup.

To prevent overstretching and consequent weakening of the spring, an inelastic band or cord of a length substantially equal to the maximum distance to which the spring can be stretched without damage may be connected to the stirrup member and'the handle.

A guard 32 in the form of a sleeve fits over the end of the spring for the purpose of protecting the flesh from being pinched between the convolutions of the spring. Guard 32 is preferably formed of a soft yielding material such as rubber. The guard provides a means for detachably holding the handle firmly in position on the end of the spring 26. Aligned holes 33 in the walls of the guard receive the handle which is passed through a loop, similar to loop 29, on the handle end of the spring. The holes 33 are smaller than the diameter of the handle and because of the yielding nature of the material of the sleeve, the handle is gripped firmly in the holes after it has been'passed through the holes and the loop in the end of the spring.

.In use of the present invention, a large number of beneficial exercises may be executed. These exercises maybe taken by a person in a seated or standing position, or while lying down. These several positions may be assumed in turn whereby maximum'benefit will be secured from taking the exercises. If desired, because of limited space'or other considerations, the exercises may be taken in one position with great benefit to the principal muscles of the body.

Figure 1 of the drawings illustrates the device in use by a person in a seated position. The feet are engaged in the stirrups or hooks 14 and 16 with the handle grasped in both hands. The body may then be swayed at the hips, the arms being extended and the legs bent when the body is in the forward position indicated by the dotted lines. As the trunk is swayed backward to the full line position, the arms are flexed and the legs extended. By performing these movements rhythmically in time to the swaying of the body, the movements executed in rowing a boat are simulated. The deep curve of the hooks permits ready engagement of the feet and prevents danger of slipping so thatthe hooks need not be secured to any fixed point. The exercises suggested by Figure 1 may be varied by assuming a partially reclining position with the back resting on the floor. With the feet engaged in the stirrups and the legs raised from the floor, the knees may be flexed as the arms are extended.

The device may be used to facilitate exercises taken in a standing position as shown by Figure 4 of the drawings. The body may be bent at the waist repeatedly and the arms flexed and extended in time with the bending movements.

Figure 6 indicates the manner of use'of the device to facilitate exercises especially beneficial to the muscles and organs of the abdomen. Bracket 18 may be secured to the floor or other surface by attachment inany suitable manner if the deviceis to be used for extended periods as an abdominalexerciser. The device is preferably held to the floor temporarily by the weight of a bed, dresser or other article of furniture, the

the illustration of Figures 1, 4 and 6 of the drawings may be executed in any desired sequence. Where the space available for exercising is limited, for example in the berth of a sleeping car or other conveyance, the device may be usedto" tional springs 3'7 and 38 which are associated with 1 the device so that they may be; readily removable.

A convenient method of attaching the springs 37 and 38 to the device is to provide each end of these springs with a loop or eye 29 similar to the loop on the ends of spring 26. Springs 37 and 38 are connected to stirrup member 11 by passing the eyes 29 over the stirrups or hooks 14 and 16. The abrupt bends at the ends of the stirrups where they join the straight portion 19 of the member 11 serves to retain them in position during use of the device.

viously described in connection with Figures 2 and 3.

Guards 32 are used on each of the outside springs to protect the hands of the user. guard, if desired, may be omitted from the inner spring 26 as guards 32 on springs 37 and 38 will serve to protect the hands of the user and retain thesprings and the handle in assembled relationship.

Springs 37 and 38 are connected to the handle in a manner similar to that pre- The In use, if the person exercising desires to perform the exercises against a greater elastic tension, springs 37 and 38 may be readily applied in the manner described.

If desired, the ends of each of the springs 37 and 38 may be provided with separate handles, so that the arms may be exercised by independent movements.

The springs may be permanently connected to stirrup member 11 to suit users who desire a strong elastic tension in the device by providing additional slots 31 in the bracket to accommodate each spring.

A further modification of the device of this invention is shown in Figures '7 and 8, wherein an inelastic cord or strap 41 is provided which is attached at one end to a reel 42. The free end of the cord is equipped with a handle 28 similar to the handle of Figures 2 and 6.

A spiral spring 43 similar to a clock spring is suitably connected to the reel to urge it to rotate so as to exert a pull on the cord. The inner end of the spring is attached in any suitable manner to a shaft 44 which is journaled in a protective covering or casing 46. The casing 46 is suitably secured to the bracket 18, for example by attached legs 47. The tension of the spring may be adjusted by manipulating the end of the shaft exposed beyond the casing with any suitable tool. A key 49 which is in engagement with a squared end of the shaft may be conveniently used for this purpose. The key 49 may be moved axially of the shaft to engage stop 51 after the shaft has been turned to give the desired tension. Other means, for example a ratchet and pawl, may be used to retain the adjustment of the spring.

In use, the modified form of the device illustrated by Figures '7 and 8 is employed in the manner previously described. Extension of the cord 41 is resisted by the spring 43.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the device of my invention provides a means for facilitating numerous exercises of benefit to practically all of the muscles of the human body. The device is portable and may be packed in a very small space and is therefore readily carried in a traveling bag or other piece of personal luggage. Its extrem e simplicity allows it to be manuiactured and sold at a very low cost.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A device for exercising the muscles comprising a stirrup member engageable wholly beheath the feet of a user, a helical spring connected to said stirrup member at one end and detachably connected to a handle at its free end to be grasped by the user, and a guard encircling said spring at said handle.

2. In an exercising device, in combination a handle to be grasped by a user, a spring, a guard for said spring to prevent catching of the hand between the convolutions of the spring, said guard comprising a sleeve encircling said spring, said sleeve being apertured to receive said handle at a right angle to said spring.

3. A device for exercising the muscles comprising an elastic element adapted to be grasped at one end by a user, a stirrup member connected to said elastic element, said stirrup member consisting of a rigid bar having a pair of hooks formed at its ends to engage beneath the feet of a person exercising.

4. A device for exercising the muscles comprising a stirrup member consisting of a rigid bar having a pair of hooks formed to engage beneath the feet of a user, an extensible element comprising an inflexible cord, adapted to be grasped at one end by a person exercising, and means carried by said stirrup member to yieldingly draw the said end of said cord toward the stirrup member.

5. A device for assisting in the development of all of the major muscles of the human body by a series of beneficial exercises comprising a securing member, an element connected to said securing member engageable over the ankles of the person executing the series of exercises, and at times beneath the feet when said securing member is free, and an extensible member connected to said bracket and said element and adapted to be grasped by the person executing the series of exercises at times in the course of the series when said element is engaged beneath the feet.

6. A device to facilitate exercising of a person comprising a stirrup member, a securing bracket connected to said stirrup member, and an extensible member connected to said stirrup member at one end and provided with a handle at its free end.

7. The device defined in claim 6 in which the stirrup member is formed to provide U-shaped hooks engageable beneath the feet or over the ankles of a user.

8. An exercising device comprising a pair of connected hooks opening in substantially parallel directions, a handle, extensible means connecting said handle to said hooks, and plate-like means carried by said hooks to detachably secure said device immovably in position.

9. An exercising device comprising a pair of connected hooks opening in substantially parallel directions, a handle, extensible means connecting said handle to said hooks, and a plate-like mem-- ber pivotally attached to said hooks and formed for ready insertion beneath a door or the like.

10. An exercising device comprising means d signed for immovable attachment to a support, hook-like means designed to engage the ankles of a person exercising or to function as stirrups for the feet of such person, a handle, and extensible means securing said handle to said hook-like means.

11. A device for exercising the muscles, comprising a yieldably extensible element adapted to be grasped at one end by a user, a stirrup member connected to said extensible element, said stirrup member consisting of a rigid bar having a pair of hooks formed at its ends to engage beneath the feet of a person exercising.

THEODORE A. HUNTER. 

